Apparatus and Method for Digging and Lining a Moat

ABSTRACT

A beach toy is provided to make a moat that is shaped and dimensioned to correspond with an impermeable moat liner. The beach toy includes a shovel, a cord, and a stake. The cord interconnects the shovel and the stake. In use, the stake is inserted into a porous medium. Next, the shovel is pulled away from the stake until the cord is taut. The blade of the shovel is inserted into the porous medium and moved about the stake while keeping the cord taught to remove material and form a annular-shaped moat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/425,475 filed Dec. 21, 2010.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The embodiments described and claimed herein relate generally to toys.More specifically, some of the embodiments relate to procedures andimplements for building an impermeable moat for a sand castle andplaying with sand and water.

2. Background Art

Going to the beach and playing in the sand is a popular pastime for manyfamilies. Playing in the sand is made fun and engaging through the useof various types of beach toys and sand castle building aids that arereadily available on the market, such as castle-shaped plastic buckets,rakes, shovels and sieves. A proposed sand castle building aid isdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/412,215 (“Adams”).Adams discloses a beach toy kit comprising a sand form and severalaccessories, including a vehicle, a boat, a shovel, a rake, a sieve, aramp, a bridge, and a sand liner. In one embodiment, Adams' sand linerpresent an annular channel around a castle to define a moat.

Unfortunately, the prior art beach toys suffer from several problems.Adams' sand liner, in particular, can be difficult to use. Adams' sandliner is designed to be placed in a channel dug into the sand thatconforms closely with the shape and contours of the sand liner. Forinstance, one embodiment of Adams' sand liner is annular and hasparticular width, depth, and radii. The channel dug into the sandpreferably has the same shape and dimensions. These shapes anddimensions are difficult to match using existing tools (shovels, rakes,hands).

BRIEF SUMMARY

Several embodiments of a beach toy apparatus and associated methods aredescribed and claimed herein that solve at least some of the problems ofthe prior art beach toy. In simple terms, a kit is provided that makesmoat-making easy and fun. This kit helps dig a moat that closelyconforms to the shape and dimensions of a sand liner. Insertion of thesand liner in the moat results in a moat that retains water. Childrenwill no longer have to fill and refill their moats endlessly.

In one particular embodiment, a beach toy is provided that includes amaterial displacement tool, an interconnecting member, and an anchor. Inthis embodiment, the interconnecting member is attached at a first endto the material displacement tool. Further, the interconnecting memberis pivotally attached at a second end to the anchor to allow thematerial displacement tool to be moved in a generally circular pathabout the anchor, whereby the material displacement tool can dig agenerally annular-shaped channel. In one embodiment, the interconnectingmember is pivotally attached to the anchor by way of a first ring at afirst end and a second ring at a second end that allows for the materialdisplacement tool to be moved in a generally circular path around theanchor. In another embodiment, at least one or both of the first andsecond rings are not used but the interconnecting member is pivotallyattached to the anchor such that a portion of the interconnecting memberis crimped together with another portion of interconnecting member toform a loop around a portion of the anchor. In this embodiment, thecrimped portions of the interconnecting member allows for the materialdisplacement tool to be moved in a generally circular path around theanchor.

In one embodiment, the material displacement tool is a shovel. In thisembodiment or another embodiment, the shovel includes a depth gauge toallow the annular-shaped channel to be provided with a substantiallyconstant depth along a given radius. Further, the shovel preferable hasa first connector at a first side for attachment to the interconnectingmember to allow the shovel to be moved in a first direction about theanchor and a second connector at a second side for attachment to theinterconnecting member to allow the shovel to be moved in a second,opposite direction about the anchor. In one embodiment, the shovel alsoincludes a hook for connecting with one of either the first ring orsecond ring.

In one embodiment, the anchor is a stake. In this embodiment or anotherembodiment, the stake includes a post and head at an upper end thereoffor attachment to the interconnecting member. Further, in oneembodiment, the interconnecting member is a cord. In this embodiment oranother embodiment, the cord is a string.

In another particular embodiment, a method for using a beach toy isdisclosed. In this embodiment, the beach toy includes a materialdisplacement tool, an interconnecting member, and an anchor, theinterconnecting member being attached at a first end to the materialdisplacement tool and being attached at a second end to the anchor. Inthis embodiment, the method includes inserting the anchor into a porousmedium, pulling the material displacement tool away from anchor wherebythe interconnecting member is approximately taut, inserting the materialdisplacement tool into the porous medium, and moving the materialdisplacement tool in a generally circular pattern about the anchor todig a generally annular channel.

In yet another particular embodiment, a method for using a beach toy isdisclosed, wherein the beach toy comprises a shovel, a cord, and astake. In this embodiment, the method includes the steps of: insertingthe stake into a porous medium, leaving a connector of the stakeexposed, attaching a first end of the cord to the stake, attaching asecond end of the cord to the shovel, and pulling the shovel away fromthe stake whereby the cord is approximately taut. The method furtherincludes inserting a blade of the shovel into the porous medium wherebya surface of the porous medium is generally aligned with a depth gaugeon the blade and moving the shovel in a generally circular pattern aboutthe anchor to dig a generally annular channel.

Other embodiments, which can include some combination of the featuresdiscussed above and below and other features which are known in the art,are contemplated as falling within the claims even if such embodimentsare not specifically identified and discussed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, objects, and advantages of theembodiments described and claimed herein will become better understoodupon consideration of the following detailed description, appendedclaims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of amoat-making kit in use;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a first embodiment of a stake of themoat-making kit; and,

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a first embodiment of a shovel ofthe moat-making kit.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scaleand that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols,phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. Incertain instances, details which are not necessary for an understandingof the embodiments described and claimed herein or which render otherdetails difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should beunderstood, of course, that the inventions described herein are notnecessarily limited to the particular embodiment illustrated. Indeed, itis expected that persons of ordinary skill in the art may devise anumber of alternative configurations that are similar and equivalent tothe embodiments shown and described herein without departing from thespirit and scope of the claims.

Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or similar partsfrom the figure in the following detailed description of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of a moat-making kit isshown. In that embodiment, the moat-making kit comprises a stake 1, ashovel 2, a boat 3, a liner 4, two stake rings 5, and a string or cord6. The two rings 5 are attached at opposite ends of the cord 6, forexample by a knot on the cord 6. The two rings 5 are connectors forconnecting one end of the cord 6 to the stake 1 and the other end of thecord 6 to the shovel 2. Both the stake 1 and the shovel 2 includecorresponding connectors. For example, the stake 1 includes a post 1 awith an enlarged diameter head 1 b for connecting with one of the rings5. The shovel 2 includes at least one hook 2 a for connecting with theother ring 5, and preferably two hooks 2 a, 2 b on opposites sides ofthe shovel 2 to facilitate use by both right- and left-handedindividuals.

It is contemplated that other embodiments could include variouscombinations of the above-mentioned or other equivalent components. Forexample, the rings 5, post 1 a and head 1 b, and hooks 2 a, 2 b, can bereplaced with simple screws and nuts or a ball that snaps into a recesson the top of the stake 1 and/or shovel 2. As another example, the rings5 need not be used and the cord 6 is pivotally attached to the stake 1by way of crimped portions of cord 6 such that a portion of cord 6 iscrimped together with another portion of cord 6 to form a loop aroundthe post 1 a of stake 1. In this example, the crimped portion of cord 6allows for the shovel 2 to be moved in a generally circular path aroundthe stake 1. The cord 6 can be a flexible material like string or a morerigid one like plastic. The cord 6 could also comprise 2 or more piecesof dowel that attach together with a 2-sided female component or 3 flatpieces of plastic that attached together with wing nuts. The cord 6could also be permanently attached to the stake 1 and/or the shovel 2,and could wrap around the stake 1 and/or shovel 2 for storage, orretract into one or both the stake 1 and shovel 2. The liner 4 could bemade of any flexible, nonporous material, such as vinyl, plastic orrubber. Preferably, the liner 4 is thin so it can fold up easily andstore compactly. The liner 4 could be completely flat and conform to theshape of the channel when installed, or it could be manufactured with abottom and sides giving it a more sturdy body. Alternative designs forthe shovel 2 could include a handhold in the blade instead of a handle.

The moat-making kit is designed to be used at an outdoor recreationalarea, such as a beach or a pool, where a porous medium such as sand 7 isprovided. When used at a beach, the moat-making kit is used by firstchoosing a location that is near the water, but beyond the reach of thewaves. Next, an area large enough to accommodate the liner 4 is smoothedout. Preferably, the dry sand on top should be removed, and the moistsand just below should be smoothed. Moist sand holds its shape betterand is easier to work with.

One end of the cord 6 is attached to the stake 1, which is placed in thecenter of the smoothed-out area and inserted into the sand, leaving thetop two inches of the stake 1 exposed. The shovel 2 is attached to theopposite end of the cord 6. Generally, during use of the moat makingkit, cord 6 is connected to stake 1 at one end and connected to shovel 2at another end. Generally, the cord 6 is pivotally attached to stake 1such that shovel 2 can be moved in a uniform circular motion withrespect to the stake.

The shovel 2 is pulled away from the stake 1 such that the cord 6 ispulled taut, but care should be taken to avoid displacing the stake 1.Sand 7 is progressively removed using the blade of the shovel 2 untilthe proper depth is reached as marked by a depth gauge 2 c on theshovel. As sand 7 is removed, the shovel 2 is moved around the stake 1in a circular path, keeping the cord 6 taut, to form an annular moat.The depth gauge 2 c can be any indication on the shovel such as a raisedline or groove. The removed sand is generally placed outside the circleso that the removed sand does not interfere with the cord 6 as theshovel 2 moved in a circular motion with respect to the stake 1. Inanother embodiment, the removed sand can be placed in the center of themoat for use later when building a sandcastle. However, in thisembodiment, the sand inside the center of the circle can interfere withmovement of the cord 6 as the shovel is moved. Accordingly, it ispreferred that the removed sand is placed outside the circle and notinside the circle. When finished removing the sand, the shovel 2 can bepulled backwards in the channel to smooth out the surface of thechannel.

Next, the liner 4, which can be made of any impermeable material, suchas plastic, is placed in the channel. For instance, the material isimpermeable to water. The liner 4 should be firmly pushed into the moatto prevent unwanted displacement during play. Once the liner 4 is inplace, the shovel 2 can be pulled backwards in the moat to smooth outthe liner 4 and water can be poured into the center of the moat. Careshould be taken to ensure no water gets underneath the liner. The moatis now finished and ready for play.

Because the blade of the shovel 2 is provided with a depth gauge 2 c anda shape and dimensions that correspond to the shape and dimensions ofthe liner 4, proper use of the above-described method results in anear-perfect annular channel that matches the shape and dimensions ofthe liner 4. Accordingly, shovel 2 has a shape and dimension thatcorresponds to the shape and dimension of liner 4 such that proper useof shovel 2 results in a snug and easy fit for the liner 4 into themoat.

Although the inventions described and claimed herein have been describedin considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the inventions described andclaimed herein can be practiced by other than those embodiments, whichhave been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.Therefore, the spirit and scope of the claims below should not belimited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

1. A beach toy comprising: a material displacement tool, aninterconnecting member, and an anchor; the interconnecting member beingattached at a first end to the material displacement tool; and, theinterconnecting member being pivotally attached at a second end to theanchor to allow the material displacement tool to be moved in agenerally circular path about the anchor, whereby the materialdisplacement tool can dig a generally annular-shaped channel.
 2. Thebeach toy of claim 1 wherein the material displacement tool is a shovel.3. The beach toy of claim 2 wherein the shovel includes a depth gauge toallow the annular-shaped channel to be provided with a substantiallyconstant depth along a given radius.
 4. The beach toy of claim 2 whereinthe shovel has a first connector at a first side for attachment to theinterconnecting member to allow the shovel to be moved in a firstdirection about the anchor and a second connector at a second side forattachment to the interconnecting member to allow the shovel to be movedin a second, opposite direction about the anchor.
 5. The beach toy ofclaim 1 wherein the anchor is a stake.
 6. The beach toy of claim 5wherein the stake includes a post and a head at an upper end thereof forattachment to the interconnecting member.
 7. The beach toy of claim 1wherein the interconnecting member is a cord.
 8. The beach toy of claim7 wherein the cord is a string.
 9. The beach toy of claim 7, wherein theinterconnecting member includes a first ring at a first end and a secondring at a second end.
 10. The beach toy of claim 7, whereininterconnecting member is pivotally attached to the anchor such that aportion of the interconnecting member is crimped together with anotherportion of interconnecting member to form a loop around a portion of theanchor allowing for the material displacement tool to be moved in agenerally circular path around the anchor.
 11. The beach toy of claim 9,wherein the material displacement tool is a shovel, the anchor is astake, the shovel includes a hook for connecting with one of either thefirst ring or second ring, and the stake includes a post and head forconnecting with the other of the first ring or second ring.
 12. Thebeach toy of claim 1 further comprising: a liner, wherein the liner ismade of an impermeable material.
 13. A beach toy comprising: a shovel, acord, and a stake; the cord having a first connector at a first end anda second connector at a second end; the shovel including a correspondingconnector; the stake including a corresponding connector; and, the firstconnector of the cord being attached to the corresponding connector ofthe shovel and the second connector of the cord being pivotally attachedto the corresponding connector of the stake, whereby the shovel can bemoved in a generally circular path about the stake to dig a generallyannular-shaped channel.
 14. The beach toy of claim 13, wherein theshovel includes a depth gauge to allow the annular-shaped channel to beprovided with a substantially constant depth along a given radius. 15.The beach toy of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first connectorand the second connector is a ring.
 16. The beach toy of claim 13,wherein the corresponding connector of the stake is a post and head thatengages with the ring.
 17. The beach toy of claim 13, wherein thecorresponding connector of the shovel is a hook that engages with thering.
 18. The beach toy of claim 13, wherein the shovel includes twocorresponding connectors, a first corresponding connector and a secondcorresponding connector, the first corresponding connected positioned ata first side to allow the shovel to be moved in a first direction aboutthe stake and the second corresponding connector being positioned at asecond side to allow the shovel to be moved in a second, oppositedirection about the stake.
 19. A method for using a beach toy, whereinthe beach toy comprises a material displacement tool, an interconnectingmember, and an anchor, the interconnecting member being attached at afirst end to the material displacement tool and being attached at asecond end to the anchor, the method comprising the steps of: insertingthe anchor into a porous medium; pulling the material displacement toolaway from anchor whereby the interconnecting member is approximatelytaut; inserting the material displacement tool into the porous medium;and, moving the material displacement tool in a generally circularpattern about the anchor to dig a generally annular channel.
 20. Amethod for using a beach toy, wherein the beach toy comprises a shovel,a cord, and a stake, the method comprising the steps of: inserting thestake into a porous medium, leaving a connector of the stake exposed;attaching a first end of the cord to the stake; attaching a second endof the cord to the shovel; pulling the shovel away from the stakewhereby the cord is approximately taut; inserting a blade of the shovelinto the porous medium whereby a surface of the porous medium isgenerally aligned with a depth gauge on the blade; and, moving theshovel in a generally circular pattern about the anchor to dig agenerally annular channel.